Police pounce on a crooked cop and accomplices in possession of rhino horn

2015/02/28

Media Statement from the National Media Centre
Corporate Communication
South African Police Service

Pretoria - On Tuesday, 24 February 2015 members of the Head Office Crime Intelligence Division in conjunction with officers from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) West Rand, East Rand and West Rand K9 Units arrested an alleged crooked cop and his two accomplices for being in illegal possession of rhino horns during a sting operation at a mall in Irene.

The police officer, Captain Mandla Khomalo, aged 42 was on duty at the time of the arrest. He is based at the West Rand Crime Intelligence unit.

His two accomplices, Ntsikagomzi Saliwa, aged 30 and Ethelbert Radebe, aged 42 were immediately arrested at the mall. Three rhino horns were found in their possession and subsequently seized.

The suspects appeared at the Pretoria Magistrates' Court on 26 February 2015 on charges of illegal possession of rhino horns and were granted bail of R15 000-00 each.